NEUROLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF PRENATAL STIMULANT DRUG EXPOSURE

In this paper, neurological issues for the stimulant drug-exposed neonate are reviewed. The experiences in adult users are reviewed, and the applicability to neonatal studies is identified. Structural abnormalities are described. and the possible mechanisms of injury are reviewed. The biochemical systems altered by these drugs are described with the possible behavioral outcomes. Neurophysiological measures showing drug effect are described as evidence of acute intoxication on ischemia. This article lays out the possible neurological bases for the descriptions of altered behavior in early infancy and beyond after prenatal stimulant drug exposure.